About This Page
This resources page contains brief information on and contact details for, professional, charitable and regulatory bodies in the optical sector. It also contains details of local pathways for optometrists’ referrals and links to the NHS Choices website’s Find a GP service.
ABDO
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is the professional body for dispensing opticians – working for dispensing opticians and advancing the profession in the UK and worldwide.
AOP
The Association of Optometrists is the leading representative membership organization for optometrists in the UK. It supports over 82% of practising optometrists to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. We protect, support and represent our members throughout their careers.
FODO
FODO is the association for eyecare providers. It is the leading national association for eye care providers working in primary and community care settings. Each year our members provide over 18 million eye examinations and offer a wide range of other eye care services across the UK.
GP contacts
The NHS Choices website contains a link to a search tool allowing patients or other service users to find a GP. It covers all NHS GPs in England.
Local pathways for referral
Click on the link below to see MSWLOC’s current listing of local pathways for referral.
LOCSU
LOCSU is the Local Optical Committee Support Unit, supporting Local Optical Committees (LOCs) in England across a range of activities relating to primary eye care. Our work includes policy work and lobbying, pathway development, commissioning support, governance and compliance support, communication and training.
PCSE
Primary Care Support England (PCSE) is delivered by Capita on behalf of NHS England, to deliver digital, logistical and support services to every GP, Dentist, Optician and Pharmacist providing NHS services in England.
PES
Primary Eyecare is the largest single primary eye care provider in England. Primary Eyecare contracts with NHS CCGs and Trusts to make NHS-funded eyecare services available from local eye care practices, from small independent practices to large national chains. It is an optometry federation which aims to support optical practices and patients by broadening the eye care services available from local optical practices.
RNIB
RNIB is committed to helping blind and partially sighted people
SeeAbilty
Supporting people who have learning disabilities or autism, who may also have sight loss.
The College of Optometrists
As your professional body, we deliver the guidance and resources you need to develop your clinical and professional practice, advance in your career and provide excellent eye health care.
The GOC
The GOC is the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. Its purpose is to protect the public by setting standards for education, training, performance and conduct amongst opticians in the UK. It also holds a searchable register of all optical practitioners and practices in the UK.